Ottawa Valley Hunt Club | newsletter0106.html

Ottawa Valley Hunt Newsletter

June 2006

As we splash towards the end of the Spring hunting season, we wonder once again where the Farmers Almanac gets its predictions. “A long, hot, dry Summer” they promised us, back when there was snow on the ground. As the snow gave way to mud and mosquitoes, there was the usual amount of heat but the monsoon rains never let the land dry.

Despite the conditions, there were plenty of opportunities to see the hounds in action – though often from a distance as the field sought dry ground. The pack has been performing very well and is really working as a unit. Congratulations to Sue Hobin and her helpers for all the hard work through the winter and spring to give us a pack in such fine condition.

THANKS

You have no doubt admired the ‘new’ set of antique hunting prints just inside the clubhouse door. These were generously donated to the OVH by Ted Thomas, who had them mounted and framed. They depict early scenes of foxhunting, and are a significant addition to the club’s collection.

We are indebted to Doug Menzies and his green thumb for his gardening work around the clubhouse, especially the flower-barrels which add colour to the approach. Also thanks to Rick Snedden who fixed the lawnmower.

Those of you who have investigated the Tripe freezer in the past will be surprised to see the renovated interior. Our thanks to Dennis Cullen and Pierre Poitras, and to Tim McMullen who donated the materials.

Thanks to Doris Phillips for her help on hound exercise - she bikes everywhere! (We’re not sure who gets the most exercise – Doris or the hounds.)

Finally, thanks to everyone who turned out on the two work days this spring. Because of the large turnout, we have achieved more than expected in the way of fences repaired, trails opened and cleaned, jumps built, and maintenance work completed in the clubhouse and stables.

SPRING SEASON

Despite the weather we managed to get Trail Rides in at Lanark and Constance Bay. These were well attended, and provided a good way to get horses started away from home.

The first Hunt was on May 10th and was a great start to the season. Since then, the weather has not cooperated and several hunts were either cancelled or turned into hound exercises. The hounds have been out on every possible occasion, but have actually hunted only a handful of times.

This has had little effect on attendance at greenboxes, however. Every Saturday, the clubhouse has been filled with members and guests – happy to at least talk about hunting, even if the event itself was cancelled.

COMING EVENTS

Saturday July 1st: Pool Party - Rocky Ridge at noon; catered by Mike Chartrand and the Lone Star crowd.

Sunday July 9th: Hunter Pace. Teams start between 11am and 1pm. Awards and BBQ at the Clubhouse

Saturday Aug 12th: Steak Night. Sign up with Bob Sulpher for Steak Night. There will be no golf this year due to lack of sign-ups.

NOTICES

To all riders, a reminder that Frank McPhail's land is 'off limits', and may only be used by the Hunt on Hunt days. For your information, the up-to-date Membership List is on the website. Those without email, please contact Pierre Poitras for a copy.

We were sorry to hear of the recent death of Don Bissett – husband of Diana Trafford. Most of us knew Don only from the hunt field, but his obituary showed many more sides to his character:

Born in Windsor in 1931, Don graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an MFA and did post-graduate studies in economic geography at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. During his 30-year career with the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs, he served in the Eastern Arctic for several years as a Northern Service Officer and subsequently carried out northern economic studies in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. Don treasured memories of travelling on the land by dog team and accompanying Inuit friends hunting caribou, seal and walrus. After retirement, he pursued his talent as a wildlife artist and indulged his love of horses, cattle and poultry on his farm at Luskville, Quebec.

Our thoughts go out to Diana, and we look forward to seeing her at the Hunt Club in the near future.

TENTATIVE FALL CALENDAR

The following are tentative dates … if you have a special request for a date for your greenbox, please contact Pierre Poitras ASAP as he is putting together the fixture card.

Hunts meet at 2pm until Nov 1st [or when the clocks change] then the hunts start at 1.30pm Greenboxes follow each hunt.

First Hunt – Wednesday Aug. 30th
Holiday Hunt – Saturday, Sept. 2nd
Hound/Puppy Show – Monday, Sept. 4th 2pm followed by “TEA”!
Hunt – Wednesday Sept 6th
Opening Hunt – Saturday Sept 9th
Hunts every Wednesday and Saturday until
Closing Hunt – Saturday Nov 18th
There will be 2 hunts at Jasper, probably Sept. 23rd and 30th
Hunt from Oakhurst – Wednesday Sept. 27th - great for those who wish to jump. Greenbox at Oakhurst.
Hunt from Ron Young’s – Saturday Oct. 7th
Thanksgiving Hunt – Monday Oct. 9th – meet at Rocky Ridge Farm. Midway Stirrup Cup at Springhill Farm – Nick and Catriana Martyn [Eddy Kennedy’s old farm] Greenbox at the Hunt Farm – reservations please with Betty or Kay
Ontario Festival of Hunting Oct 12th – 21st
Halloween Party following Hunt on Saturday Oct 28th 8pm. Finger Foods only
Remembrance Day Hunt – Saturday Nov 11th
Hunter Pace – Sunday Sept. 17th with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario

Happy hunting,

Kay Leach
Bob Allum
Joint Masters